Mary B. Nelson

Mary Nelson Obituary

Mary B. Nelson, 93 ESCONDIDO -- Mary Bowles Nelson passed away February 10, 2012 in Escondido, Calif. Mary had a long adventurous life and enjoyed living every minute of it. She was born in San Francisco, Calif., in 1918 to Philip E. Bowles Jr. and Jesse Jackson Bowles. Mary's father died shortly after her birth in 1918 and she was raised by her mother and fraternal grandparents, Philip E. and Mary A. Bowles of Oakland, Calif. Mary was never afraid to go after what she wanted and at the age of 17, in spite of her mother's forbidding it, took flying lessons and obtained her Pilots license. She loved flying and spending time with her grandfather's horses. At the age of 25, Mary was among the first women to join the Women's Air Service Pilots to help her country during WWII. She was part of the elite group of women who had the opportunity to give instruction to young Airmen. After the war, Mary managed the Palm Springs Airport for several years. She also worked as a charter pilot and sold retired fighter planes refurbished for civilian use. During that time, she had the opportunity to purchase an Arabian horse that was brought to the U.S. from war torn Europe. She was enchanted with the Arabians and spent many years breeding and showing the beautiful horses. She loved riding and watching the powerful and elegant Arabians and still owned several at the time of her death. In her later years, Mary worked as a Real Estate Agent. Mary's proudest moment was in receiving the Congressional Gold Medal from President Obama in 2010 for her service as a WASP. Mary was an independent, self reliant and unconventional woman of her time. She was very clever and had a witty sense of humor. She will be deeply missed by all her friends. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com

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Published by North County Times on Mar. 4, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Mary Nelson

10 Entries

Linda Dudik

February 26, 2025

I will always regret that I was never able to capture your life story for my website where stories of your generation are preserved. You were an amazing woman and a role model for us all. It is your independency that I admire so much.

Linda Dudik, Ph.D., the World War II Experience

February 26, 2022

I will never forget you and your WW II service. My only regret is that I was never able to work with you to preserve your story for younger generations. Even though I asked you about doing that, you were too humble to understand how important your story is for history, especially women's history. Daily, I see framed items in my work room that remind me of you and your sister WASPs, especially the poem by Elizabeth MacKethan Magid, "Celestial Flight." Its opening lines read, "She is not dead--But only flying higher..."

April 2, 2012

I met Mary in the late Ninties when an Arabian mare ended up in dire straits while I ran an Arabian rescue. We remained friends long after. RIP My dear friend
Roseann NEmes

Shary Carter

March 14, 2012

Thanks Linda for the recommendation to donate to the rescue, the address for the rescue is http:www.SaveTheAnimalsToday.org rather than .com - the girls are doing fine, Fasada is a sweetie and Edie is a pocket pony! We're hoping to find them sponsors soon - I have been reading the info you brought along about Mary, what an amazing woman!!

March 13, 2012

I want to add my thanks to not only Mary's neighbor, but to Linda for being so caring about Mary and her horses. I was proud to be a longtime friend of Marys. She was so much fun to visit with both in person and by letters. Because I bred my own Arabians I rarely bought a horse, I bought one from Mary. Wizort was truly a treasure. I know she's riding and when she's not doing that she's flying. All my best!! Sally

Mary plays with Alexandra , 2009

Linda Engle

March 11, 2012

Linda Engle

March 8, 2012

I want to thank Mary's neighbor , Debbie and her family for being Mary's guardian angel when she needed it most. She selflessly looked after Mary to the end .
Mary's last 2 Arabian mares were so kindly rescued by Patti Roberts @ Save the Animals Today.com .They are senior horses and will live out the rest of their lives in comfort w/Patti. The economy has been hard on the animal rescues . In honor of Mary please donate to Save the Animals Today , 34400 Grigg Lane , Winchester, Ca. 92596 . It's a tax deductable donation and even the tiniest amount will be put to great use .Patti is known as the "horsey hospice " and has arranged for humans in hospice to receive free horse-drawn wagon rides so they can be close to the horses again . She is a remarkable women who takes in all kinds of unwanted farm animals , but she needs your help. Thank you so much,
Linda Engle, friend to Mary and her horses.

Cheryl Searer

March 8, 2012

Mary was such a great asset to the arabian horse industry. I have two horses that I purchased from Mary and they are both beautiful, well bred arabians. As a breeder for the arabian horse her knowledge will surely be missed. Rest in peace Mary and ride those lovely arabians.

Sharon Carter

March 7, 2012

Mary, hope you are riding in the breeze with the horsey angels! Thank you for all you have done through the years for the Arabian Horse, your efforts will not be forgotten. Rest well, I wish I had known you in person, a truly great woman!

March 7, 2012

To Mary's family and friends: I have spoken to Mary on the phone more than once over the years, and every Veterans' Day for many years, I have sent her a Veterans Day card. I was worried when the one from last November was returned to me. Until 3 years ago, I was a professor of history at Palomar College. I taught a course on United States Women's History and one on the WW II Generation. I learned about Mary from Glenn Miller (no, not the bandleader, but a man who was an instructor with the WASP program in Sweetwater, Texas). Glenn lived in San Marcos until just a year ago when he moved to Kentucky. I wrote up a long story on Glenn for my nonprofit, educational organization, the World War II Experience. I sent Mary a copy last spring, and since the PO did not return it to me, I hope she was well enough then to read at least the part that dealt with the WASPs. Glenn gave me his WASP yearbooks and some WASP newspapers, so I have photographs and some writings by Mary from her time in Sweetwater. I had always wanted to meet her in person, but I know she was a private individual. She always was very gracious in allowing me to telephone her, though, and ask her questions over the phone. I deeply regret that I was not able to write down her story for her. If anyone who reads this is interested in what I wrote about the WASPs and Glenn, my web site is www.wwiiexperience.com, and Glenn's story is on p. 6 of the Home Front section. As I just said, I wish I could have done a similar story on Mary. She was a woman ahead of her time. She was also very kind to me, allowing me to telephone her. I so wish she were still with us today.
Linda Dudik, Ph.D.
President, World War II Experience

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